The Noble Culture http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php en info@noblestudios.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-31T02:33:01-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/be_passionate http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/be_passionate/#When:22:32:00Z By Lindsay Alford, Internal PR & Social Media It’s been said you can’t have both a business and a family. Season Lopiccolo, chief operating officer and founder of Noble Studios, is defying the odds. She is a passionate entrepreneur, devoted wife and mother of two young children. “You can have both,” she told a class of nearly 60 graduate students studying for their MBA at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). “You just have to want it.” In December, Richard Bostdorff invited Season to be part of a panel discussion for an MBA course he was teaching on Leadership and Change Management at UNR. Season was joined by Darik Volpa, chief executive officer and founder of Understand.com. “When Jarrod and I began Noble Studios, we made two promises to ourselves. First, always pursue our passions, personally and professionally. Secondly, get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off.” Season shared her passion for the tech industry and Noble Studios with the students. “I truly love coming to work every day, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. We’ve surrounded ourselves with talented, forward-thinkers who are also driven by passion, and that’s been the No. 1 contributor to our success.” The discussion gave students the opportunity to speak with “real world” experienced entrepreneurs. Season also spoke about the challenges and joys of building a business from the ground up, the benefits of having a team of talented employees, the importance of establishing strong client-agency relationships and staying involved in the community. She spoke about her biggest challenges as a business owner, including how she manages working with her husband and balancing family life, fast growth and operational concerns, and ensuring the agency meets its annual goals. Season closed her presentation with a piece of advice, “Don't do it for the money. Do it because you love it. Maintain good relationships, always be willing to learn, remain humble, and have fun along the way.” The Noble Culture 2012-01-30T22:32:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/gift_of_holidays http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/gift_of_holidays/#When:22:19:00Z Noble Studios’ Lindsay Alford plays an active role in the Rotary, an international service organization. The Rotary’s mission is “service above self” and each year the organization holds several events to help those in need. Lindsay’s favorite Rotary event of the year is Santa Clothes. By Lindsay Alford, Internal PR & Social Media Strategist Imagine heading to school in clothes that don't fit. A couple holes in your jeans may be fashionable, but nobody wants holes in their socks – much less their undergarments!  PE class is hard to look forward to when shoes pinch or flop. Then there is the surprising cold of a sunny Vegas winter morning; we may not have snow, but we do have enough cold to require a warm jacket. Now imagine taking a morning off of your crazy holiday schedule to share the joy of giving to someone in need. The Santa Clothes program connects an adult volunteer with a child in need of a shopping trip. Each child arrives with a wish list.  The shopping pairs have one hour to scour the racks at JCPenney before the store opens to the public. Generous support from our sponsors allows each child to buy $200 worth of shoes, jackets, and clothes. With JCPenney's great discounts – and no sales tax for the charitable endeavor – these kids are given a wardrobe makeover for the winter ahead. Outside of spending time with my family, Santa Clothes is the highlight of my holiday season. I love seeing the joy on the kids’ faces and knowing they will have shoes that fit and comfortable, warm clothing. I also love knowing 100 percent of my donation and service goes directly to the children. This was my third year participating in the Santa Clothes experience. My first year, the child I was paired up with had never seen the inside of a department store, rode on an escalator or owned a pair of brand new shoes. This year, I was paired up with a second grade girl who wanted to shop for her younger sisters and bring home two extra donuts to share with them in case they were hungry. After the shopping spree, we take the kids to the University of Las Vegas (UNLV) football practice field, where they mingle and play sports activities organized by UNLV athletes. We all enjoy a pizza party following the fitness activity. At the conclusion, the children are given one more surprise gift as they board their vans to head home.Since Christmas of 1996, the Rotary Club of Las Vegas has been reaching out to more children in need. This year, the Rotarians and sponsors gave the gift of the holidays to 310 children and of the City of Las Vegas proclaimed Thursday, December 8, 2011, The Rotary Clubs of Southern Nevada -  Santa Clothes Day. Santa Clothes is truly a heartwarming experience and one I look forward to every year. I’m grateful Noble Studios allows me to take time out of my busy work schedule to pursue my passion with the Rotary of “service above self.” To make a contribution to Santa Clothes, visit the Las Vegas Rotary. The Noble Culture 2012-01-30T22:19:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/crystal http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/crystal/#When:21:58:00Z Noble Studios’ senior project manager Crystal Blahnik recently completed the Project Management Essentials Certificate Program offered by Extended Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. The 45-hour, three-course series included theoretical and practical approaches to project management. “It was an excellent program, and I’m excited to apply my new knowledge at Noble Studios,” said Blahnik. The three courses offered were Project Management Essentials, Project Management: Beyond the Basics, and Managing with MS Project.“This is the second continuing education program the partners have given me the opportunity to pursue. I feel fortunate to work for a company that pushes us to always learn and invests in our professional interests.”The agency partners recognize the value of professional development and personal growth for all employees. Noble Studios reimburses employees for successful completing relevant seminars, courses, classes or workshops to enhance work performance in their respected roles. The partners also encourage the team to play an active role in the community, join professional organizations, and serve on boards and committees.Crystal also completed the Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network’s (RTYPN) hYPe Leadership Series in August 2011. hYPe is a six-month series addressing the unique circumstances young professionals and entrepreneurs face in today’s workforce. The Noble Culture 2012-01-30T21:58:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/director_of_operations http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/director_of_operations/#When:22:27:00Z Noble Studios’ executive team announces the hire of Martin Gastanaga as director of operations. In his position, Martin will oversee operations, development and business systems strategy. Martin brings more than 17 years of entrepreneurial, management, quality control systems, production, and Internet marketing experience to Noble Studios. Previously, he was the chief operating officer at Twelve Horses North America, a Web services company specializing in custom application development, mobile services and email. In 2009, Twelve Horses merged with One-to-One Interactive, a Boston-based tech agency. Martin worked as the senior vice president of client engagements at One-to-One before joining the Noble Studios team. Martin currently serves on the executive board of directors for KNPB Channel 5, the PBS member television station in Reno, Nev. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where he studied geography and business administration. The Noble Culture 2011-11-29T22:27:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/josh_koberstein http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/josh_koberstein/#When:22:24:01Z Noble Studios’ executive team announces the hire of Josh Koberstein as Web developer. Josh worked as a full-time contractor for six months before joining Noble Studios as a full-time employee.    Josh brings more than seven years of computer support and Web development experience to Noble Studios. Previously, he held positions at Nevada Blue, Ltd as a database administrator and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) as a computer support specialist. Josh graduated with high distinction and earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from UNR. The Noble Culture 2011-11-23T22:24:01-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/iso http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/iso/#When:22:58:00Z Noble Studios’ Arun Karnati plays an active role in the Indian Students Organization at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). A native of India, Arun is passionate about his culture and celebrating its traditions with all students. By Arun Karnati, Developer The goal of the Indian Students Organization (ISO) at UNR is to build awareness of the Indian sub-continent’s diverse culture among all students and to assist new students in getting acclimated to the city of Reno. I’ve been a part of ISO for more than three years. It is a recognized graduate club of UNR. We currently have about 70 members. This number includes current students and alumni. Committee members are elected every fall. ISO organizes social events and cultural festivals for the community. I started pursuing my masters at UNR in fall 2008, the season I arrived in the United States. Since it was my first time in a foreign country, everything was strange to me. I had mixed feelings – excitement, nervousness and fears. My first week on campus I attended a potluck hosted by ISO. It was the first time I’d seen so many Indian students in one place, and I was really happy to meet everyone. ISO is a great organization for students like me seeking to find community. My role with ISO is to coordinate cultural activities and performances, including potlucks, Indian festivals and socials. Our biggest event is the famous “Diwali Night.” Diwali is one of the most important celebrations for the people of India. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. After coming to United States, I really missed my family and festivals. ISO has given me the opportunity to celebrate festivals with my friends here. I look forward to Diwali Night every year. Committee members start planning for the big event two months in advance to ensure the night is a success. I start practicing for my performances at least a month before. The night is full of entertainment and everyone dresses in traditional Indian styles. The goal is to showcase India’s diverse culture through a variety of culinary dishes and cultural performances. I’m very passionate about dancing, and I’ve had the pleasure of performing on Diwali Night for the past four years. I really love the way Jarrod and Season encourage and support our passions. I will never forget the day I told them that I love to dance. They gathered everyone in the office and asked me to play my dance video on our 40-inch dashboard. I was really stoked. It’s hard to find a job where you not only love your work, but everyone supports and respects your passion. I’m lucky to be a part of Noble. The Noble Culture 2011-11-18T22:58:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/tech_wed http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/tech_wed/#When:18:59:00Z You drank the Noble Kool-Aid and mingled with northern Nevada industry leaders, agency partners and the talented Noble staff. You laughed at the “bloopers” behind some of Noble’s best work, caught a glimpse of the agency’s culture, and learned about the future of tech and where the industry is headed. To everyone who came out for NCET’s Tech Wednesday yesterday, the Noblebots thank you! It was an exciting time to promote all things Web as the industry has continued to evolve and experience tremendous growth. From Web design and development to UI prototyping, social media strategy, branding, SEO/SEM, 3D and mobile, you can see Noble Studios has the Web covered. View photos from Tech Wednesday and feel free to stop by to see us again! The Noble Culture 2011-11-10T18:59:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/artists http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/artists/#When:00:40:00Z Noble Studios is a think tank of highly motivated individuals aimed at improving the local community through thoughtful and meaningful work, both professionally and in our personal passions. Noble Studios would like to showcase the talents of local artists in our expanded 8,000+ sq. ft. facility in downtown Reno. Numerous client meetings and professional gatherings each month will lend to high exposure of the artwork. To submit your artwork for display, click here to download and complete the entry form. Please read the instructions carefully as Noble Studios reserves the right to reject any application. Thank you for interest. The Noble Studios team is excited to showcase the talent of local artists. The Noble Culture 2011-11-08T00:40:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/hack4reno http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/hack4reno/#When:03:26:00Z Noble Studios’ developers Dawson Loudon and Ryan Dyess participated in Hack4Reno, a 24-hour hackathon where programmers, designers, and creative types competed to create the best apps based on open data. The information was made available by the City of Reno and included data set such as; Firearms Restrictions, NDOT information, Parks information, Public Art inventory, RTC information, Crime reports, Fire calls, and Historic Places. Loudon, Dyess and three of their tech-minded friends were awarded Best in Show for their “GoOutsi.de” app. According to the Reno Gazette-Journal (RGJ), the team was so geeked up for the intense competition they wore matching green t-shirts sporting the group’s “GoOutsi.de” logo. A collaboration between Reno Collective, Reno.rb and the City of Reno, the goal of the hackathon was to promote Reno by demonstrating the value of open data and open government. The event allowed developers, designers, and citizens to learn new technology, showcase their talent, and, ultimately, build new applications to make Reno a smarter, more engaged place to live. “GoOutsi.de” is in the final stages of development. Upon completion, the app will feature a searchable database with information about the Reno-Tahoe area, from its multitude of bike trails to all of its attractive outdoor amenities. Learn more about Hack4Reno and watch the talented team claim their grand prize on KTNV 2 News. The Noble Culture 2011-10-28T03:26:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/ima_awards http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/ima_awards/#When:05:17:00Z Noble Studios’ talented team took home two Internet Marketing Association (IMA) Awards, including Best Website Navigation for Union Square Business Improvement District and Best Website Animation, Motion Graphics for Zephyr. This year’s awards ceremony was held at the Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas and featured an incredible lineup of speakers representing Boys Town California, Ernst & Young, eMarketer, Salesforce.com, MGM Mirage, Webtrends, SocialShield, Oracle, Adobe Systems, Google and Facebook. The panel discussed a global view of the state of the Internet. Noble Studios collaborated with Brad Thomas Graphic Design Services on the award-winning website for Union Square BID, one of the world’s premier shopping districts and tourist attractions in downtown San Francisco. Noble Studios was responsible for the translation of the design to development and extensive functionality of the website. Zephyr, a premier manufacturer of professional-grade kitchen hoods, worked with Noble Studios and ThinkSF to launch its award-winning website to showcase the compelling design and unparalleled performance of its products. Noble Studios was responsible for implementing the motion graphics and development of the site. With more than 413,000 members, IMA is one of the fastest growing professional organizations in the world. To learn more about the Internet Marketing Association, visit www.imanetwork.org. The Noble Culture 2011-10-27T05:17:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/pursuit_of_passion http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/pursuit_of_passion/#When:02:59:01Z Noble Studios’ Vanessa Vancour generously volunteers her time as a Spanish interpreter and translator. Learn how she discovered her passion and filled a great need in our local community. By Vanessa Vancour, Content & Social Media Strategist What started out as a fun afternoon of shopping quickly turned into a truly terrifying experience for one mother and daughter. I was sixteen years old and working as a manager at a local retail store for young girls in Southern California. I remember it was a relatively slow afternoon because the store was mostly empty. From the register, I heard a woman frantically cry for help; her daughter had fallen and was convulsing on the floor. I was shaken, having never dealt with such a situation before, but knelt beside the woman while my coworker called for help. The woman only spoke Spanish so I served as translator for the paramedics. That was the day she learned her daughter was epileptic, and the day I learned how valuable knowing two languages could be. Growing up my siblings and I always spoke two languages at home; English with my father and Spanish with my Mexican mother. We didn’t know any different, it was our way of life. After the incident, I realized how important it was to hone my skills to be a service to the community. I minored in Spanish at the University of Southern California and became involved with projects needing Spanish speakers. A few years ago I started researching court interpreters and translators in northern Nevada and found the Language Bank, a multicultural interpreter and translator service through the Northern Nevada International Center at the University of Nevada, Reno. I’ve interpreted for felony trials in California, domestic abuse cases locally and unemployment appeals cases in Reno, helping to bridge the communication gap for Spanish-speaking residents in need of help. While some cases can be emotionally draining, it is one of my biggest passions. When I first met Jarrod and Season [Lopiccolo] I mentioned my enthusiasm for Spanish language and Hispanic marketing, a passion Season also shares having studied Spanish abroad. When we made the exciting decision for me to join the Noble team full-time, Season offered me a remarkable opportunity – Noble Studios will support my desire to volunteer as a translator during the week. There have been many cues in my journey with Noble Studios where I’ve thought, “I’ve finally found the perfect job.” Strong leadership and a talented staff with the freedom and support to grow, learn and explore. The ability to do that and continue one’s passion for service is just the icing on the Noble cake. The Noble Culture 2011-10-17T02:59:01-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/yanbo http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/yanbo/#When:22:50:00Z Noble Studios announced the hire of Yanbo Li as Web developer. In his position, Yanbo will specialize in Android application and ActionScript development. Yanbo brings more than five years of research and large-scale software development experience to Noble Studios. Previously, he worked as a software developer for Motorola, Inc. in Austin, where he honed his skills as an Android application developer. Yanbo earned his master of science in computer science and engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) in Haidian District, Beijing. The Noble Culture 2011-10-11T22:50:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/new_digs http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/new_digs/#When:02:50:00Z We’ve settled into our new office space in downtown Reno, and we’re ready to show it off! Mark your calendars for the official Noble Studios Open House happening on Thursday, October 13. Drink the Noble Kool-Aid as you mingle with northern Nevada industry leaders, agency partners and the fun-loving Noble staff. Click here to RSVP. The Noble Culture 2011-10-05T02:50:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/noble_studios_moves http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/noble_studios_moves/#When:18:50:00Z The rumor is true! Noble Studios has outgrown its office space and relocated to downtown Reno. Since its inception in 2003, Noble has shown profit year after year and has hired based on its growth. Noble now employs 22 full time employees and works with a number of local contractors and traditional agencies for extensibility and expandability. The first day of operation in the new office at the Bank of America Building, located at 50 West Liberty, Suite 800 in Reno, will be Monday, August 29. Formerly occupied by HMC Architects, the 8,652 sq. ft. space will undergo extensive renovations before Noble’s grand opening party. More than 60 percent of Noble’s gross profit comes from outside the state. In 2008, the company expanded its reach to the San Francisco Bay Area and secured monthly service agreements with international brands, such as Autodesk, Inc., one of the world’s top five leaders in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. In 2010, founders Jarrod and Season Lopiccolo were named Young Entrepreneurs of the Year by the Nevada District of the U.S. Small Business Administration and received In Business Las Vegas’ Entrepreneur Award. Additionally, Jarrod received the Twenty under 40 award by the Reno-Gazette Journal. Residents of Carson City, the Lopiccolos are grateful to the business community, family and friends for their strong support. They will continue to invest in the interests of the Carson City community. Looking into the future, with plans for growth, the Lopiccolos knew it was best to relocate the agency. “In order to stay on the cutting edge, it was imperative we move closer to our employees and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). The strategic move will allow us to attract more up and coming talent who have grown up in an era driven by emerging technology,” said Jarrod Lopiccolo. With that said, Noble Studios is currently accepting resumes for the following positions: Senior Web Developer, Senior Strategist and Senior Project (Account) Manager. To apply, click here. The Noble Culture 2011-08-30T18:50:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/hype http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/hype/#When:04:10:00Z Noble Studios’ senior project manager Crystal Blahnik graduated from the Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network’s (RTYPN) hYPe Leadership Series. Classes were held monthly on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the University of Phoenix, Northern Nevada campus. The six-month series featured guest instructors including local business leaders. The course material addressed the unique circumstances young professionals and entrepreneurs face in today’s workforce. “What I enjoyed most about the series was the opportunity for professional growth. This was accomplished through a fantastic lineup of guest speakers who shared their wealth of knowledge and experiences with the class. I look forward to applying what I learned to my profession,” said Crystal. RTYPN is committed to providing valuable resources and tools for young professionals who are dedicated to pursuing business opportunities in our region. Noble Studios supports their efforts and strongly believes in providing professional development for its employees such as sending Crystal to the hYPe Leadership Series. Learn more: RTYPN The Noble Culture 2011-08-30T04:10:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/pr_news http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/pr_news/#When:03:56:00Z Noble Studios’ social media team attended the PR News Facebook Conference in San Francisco. In one, fast-paced, interactive day, Vanessa Vancour and Lindsay Alford listened to digital experts share in-depth case studies of their Facebook strategies. Our team learned new tactics to create a Facebook content strategy, and how to use Facebook as a PR tool to build a community of super fans and drive new business. Stay tuned as we put these new tactics to the test and write about our user experience. To learn more about the conference, visit PR News. The Noble Culture 2011-08-30T03:56:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/fencing_nationals http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/fencing_nationals/#When:22:03:00Z Noble Studios’ Isaac Reid and more than 3,500 competitive athletes participated in the USA Fencing Summer National Championships and July North American Cup at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Isaac placed 33rd in foil out of 117 and 81 in epee out of 129.“It has been my lifelong dream to compete on a national level,” said Isaac.Isaac has been fencing foil and epee for nearly seven years, two years competitively. Foil and epee are weapons used in the sport. Foil is a light thrusting weapon designed to target the torso while epee is a heavier thrusting weapon used to aim for the entire body.A fencer wins a bout by being the first to score 15 points or by having a higher score than their opponent at the end of three 3-minute rounds. One point is scored each time a fencer’s weapon makes contact with their opponent.Video: Isaac fencing The Noble Culture 2011-07-20T22:03:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/christine_harcinske http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/christine_harcinske/#When:20:53:00Z Noble Studios announced the hire of Christine Harcinske as a creative. In her position, Christine will be responsible for interactive design and branding services. Her start date is August 1st. Christine brings more than four years of advertising and interactive agency experience to Noble Studios. Previously, she worked as a senior interactive designer for One to One Interactive in Reno, Nev., where she produced award-winning design for clients including Comcast, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Liberty Mutual, RSCVA, Alpine Meadows/Homewood Mountain Resort, Reno-Tahoe Meetings and Integral Life. Christine earned her degree in graphic communications from Truckee Meadows Community College. The Noble Culture 2011-07-06T20:53:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/tim_miley http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/tim_miley/#When:20:51:00Z Noble Studios announced the hire of Tim Miley as a senior creative. In his position, Tim will be responsible for interactive design and branding services. Tim brings more than six years of advertising and interactive agency experience to Noble Studios. Previously, he worked as a senior interactive designer for One to One Interactive in Reno, Nev., where he garnered more than 40 ADDYs and other industry honors. Tim has produced award-winning and published works for Fortune 500 brands and smaller including McGraw-Hill, Liberty Mutua, Havard Business School and Ski Lake Tahoe. Tim is affiliated with several industry groups and associations including the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Communication Arts, and Creative Designers and Writers. The Noble Culture 2011-07-06T20:51:00-08:00 http://www.noblestudios.com/news/page/reno_tahoe_wordcamp_2011 http://www.noblestudios.com/index.php/site/reno_tahoe_wordcamp_2011/#When:19:27:00Z Earlier this month, Noble Studios’ developer Dawson Loudon and creative Isaac Reid attended Reno-Tahoe WordCamp at the University of Nevada, Reno. WordCamp is a two-day conference for WordPress users, developers, designers, and advertising professionals to network and learn about the platform. “I thought WordCamp was awesome! It was a conference with something for everyone. I especially enjoyed the typography class. It was great to see all of the advancements to allow designers and developers to create innovative design.” – Isaac Reid “The theme of the day was WordPress but this was really a meet-up of the local web development community. I was surprised with the complexity of the development discussions and enjoyed getting to meet other developers from our community.” – Dawson Loudon For the second year in a row, Noble Studios was a Gold sponsor of the conference. Click here to learn more about WordCamp. The Noble Culture 2011-06-24T19:27:00-08:00